Systems and methods for exporting digital content using an interactive television application

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to methods and systems for extracting digital content using an interactive television application. The interactive television application may allow the user to record programs on a set-top box. The interactive television application may also allow the user to extract the audio from one of the recorded programs and transfer the extracted audio to removable media (e.g., a CD-R). The interactive television application also be configured to perform a future transfer of digital content to removable media. The future transfer may occur without requiring any further user interaction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/942,070, filed Sep. 15, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S.provisional patent application No. 60/502,920, filed Sep. 15, 2003. Allthese prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to interactive television applications and moreparticularly to interactive television applications with digital contentexporting features.

An interactive television application, such as an interactive programguide, may allow a user to store digital content (e.g., record aprogram) on a set-top box. The user may access the stored digitalcontent using the interactive television application. However, in somecases, the user may wish to be able to access the digital content awayfrom the interactive television application (e.g., while running ortraveling).

In some cases, the nature of the stored digital content (e.g., arecorded program) is such that the audio content may be of greaterinterest to users. Such digital content may include, for example, arecording of the evening news, a recording of a stand-up comedy routine,or a recording of a sports broadcast (e.g., football). Furthermore, theuser may wish to access this audio content away from the interactivetelevision application. For example, the user may wish to listen to theaudio of a talk show while jogging.

Therefore, it may be desirable to provide an interactive televisionapplication that is capable of extracting audio from recorded programsand transferring the extracted audio to a removable medium (e.g., aCD-R).

The user may also wish to transfer digital content (e.g., a recordedprogram) to removable media (e.g., a compact flash card). For example,the user may wish to view yesterday's news broadcast on a handheldcomputer while commuting to work in the morning. It may be burdensomefor the user to repeatedly setup transfers using the interactivetelevision application (i.e., selecting digital content, selectingsettings, etc.).

Therefore, it may be desirable to provide an interactive televisionapplication that may be configured to perform a future transfer ofdigital content to removable media. After the user has configured theinteractive television application to perform a future transfer ofdigital content to removable media, it may also be desirable to performthe future transfer of digital content to the removable medium withoutrequiring any further user interaction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An interactive television application may be provided in accordance withthe present invention. The interactive television application may allowa user to store digital content on a set-top box or access digitalcontent stored remotely (e.g., a remote server).

In one aspect of the invention, the interactive television applicationmay be capable of extracting audio from a recorded program andtransferring the extracted audio to removable media.

The interactive television application may allow the user to select arecorded program from which audio may be extracted. Recorded programsmay include, for example, recordings of television programs, a programstored on a live buffer, and a program currently being recorded. Theuser may select a removable medium and the interactive televisionapplication may transfer the extracted audio to the selected removablemedium.

The interactive television application may allow the user to select anaudio format and audio quality. The user may select an audio format thatis compatible with a music player on which the audio is to be played.The user may wish to select an audio quality based on the nature of theaudio. For example, if the audio of the selected program is mainlyspeech, the user may wish to select a lower audio quality. If the audioof the selected program is music, the user may wish to select a higheraudio quality. The audio quality may also be related to the size of theextracted audio. Therefore, if the target medium has a small capacity,the user may select a lower quality for the extracted audio.

In some cases, the user may instruct the interactive televisionapplication to extract audio from the entire recorded program. In othercases, the user may instruct the interactive television application toextract audio from portions of the recorded program. For example, theuser may set start and end markers on a progress bar to extract audiofrom segments of the recorded program. The interactive televisionapplication may allow the user to preview the audio at points along therecording. The interactive television application may display a markeron the progress bar to allow the user to identify the location of theaudio in the program. The user may select start and end markers based onthe previewed audio.

After the user has selected the settings for audio extraction, theinteractive television application may extract the audio from theinteractive television application. For example, the interactivetelevision application may split the selected program into the segmentsindicated by the user. The interactive television application mayde-multiplex the segments of the program and split the program into anaudio file and a video file. The interactive television application mayprocess the resulting audio file in accordance with the user's formatand quality settings.

The interactive television application may supplement the file withprogram information to allow a music player to display, for example,title and artist information while playing the audio. The programinformation may be derived from, for example, program listings, programguide information, metadata embedded in the broadcast stream of theprogram, or information entered by the user.

The interactive television application may verify that the selectedremovable medium has enough capacity to store the audio file and theinteractive television application may transfer the audio file to theselected target medium.

The interactive television application may also allow the user toschedule a recording of audio from a program. For example, the user mayselect a program and then select options for recording the audio of theprogram (e.g., removable medium, audio format, and audio quality). Whenthe program is broadcast, the interactive television application mayrecord the audio of the program on the selected removable medium inaccordance with the format and quality settings.

In another aspect of the present invention, the interactive televisionapplication may also be configured to perform future transfers ofdigital content to removable media. After the user has configured theinteractive television application to perform a future transfer ofdigital content to removable media, the future transfer may occurwithout requiring any further user interaction. For example, the usermay configure the interactive television application to transfer themost recent recording of a news program to a Compact Flash (CF) cardwhenever it is inserted into set-top box 60. The user may, for example,insert the Compact Flash card into set-top box 60 every morning toretrieve the news program for that day and view the news program on ahandheld device while riding the train to work. Because the transfer hasalready been set up, the user is not burdened with the task ofrepeatedly setting up the transfer every morning.

In order to set up a future transfer of digital content to removablemedia, the interactive television application may allow the user toidentify digital content using the interactive television application.For example, the user may select a series recording of the evening news.

In addition, in order to set up a future transfer of digital content toremovable media, the interactive television application may allow theuser to select settings for the removable media. The settings mayinclude the format and quality of the digital content. In some cases,the user may wish to view the digital content on a handheld device thatis only capable of playing video in certain formats and the user mayselect one of the compatible formats. In some cases, the user may wishto conserve storage space on removable media and the user may select thelowest quality setting. In some cases, if the digital content is avideo, the user may select a quality setting (e.g., 320×240) in order tomatch the resolution of the digital content to the native resolution ofa device on which the digital content is to be played (e.g., a handheldvideo player).

The settings may also include settings for recurring digital content(e.g., series recordings). For example, the user may instruct theinteractive television application to transfer only the most recentrecording in a series to removable media. In another example, the usermay instruct the interactive television application to transfer allrecordings in a series that have yet to be transferred to removablemedia.

The settings may also include settings for updating digital content onremovable media. For example, the user may instruct the interactivetelevision application to delete or overwrite digital content only if itis older than a user-specified number of days. In another example, theuser may instruct the interactive television application to delete oroverwrite digital content only if it has been viewed.

The interactive television application may also determine the types ofremovable media to which the digital content may be transferred. Forexample, digital content may be transferred to all removable media if itis fairly small in size (i.e., the digital content may fit on even thesmallest removable medium). In another example, digital content which isfairly large may be restricted to removable media with at least acertain capacity (e.g., 4.7 GB).

The interactive television application may store a reference to theselected digital content and the selected settings for transferring theselected digital content to removable media. In some embodiments, thereference to the selected digital content and the selected settings fortransferring the selected digital content may be stored in a database.In some embodiments, the reference to the selected digital content andthe selected settings for transferring the selected digital content maybe stored on a configuration file stored on removable media.

After the user has configured the interactive television application toperform a future transfer of digital content to removable media, thefuture transfer may occur without requiring any further userinteraction. To initiate the transfer of digital content, theinteractive television application may establish communications withremovable medium 62. For example, communications may be establishedafter the user inserts the removable medium in the set-top box. Inanother example, communications may be established over a wireless link.For example, the removable medium may be moved in close proximity to awireless access point coupled to (or part of) the set-top box.

At this point, the interactive television application may determinewhether the removable medium is a valid target. Determining whether theremovable medium is a valid target may occur without requiring any userinteraction.

In some embodiments, the interactive television application may accessthe database to determine whether the settings for the removable mediumare stored on the database. For example, the interactive televisionapplication may determine the identifier for the removable medium andcheck the database to see if any entries are stored in the databaseunder the identifier for the removable medium. Identifiers may include,for example, volume numbers and capacities. The interactive televisionapplication may determine that the removable medium is a valid target ifits settings are stored in the database.

In some embodiments, the interactive television application may accessthe configuration file stored on the removable medium. If theinteractive television application recognizes the settings stored on theconfiguration file, then the interactive television application mayassume that the removable medium is a valid target.

The interactive television application may retrieve a reference todigital content and settings for transferring the digital content forthe removable medium by accessing either the database or theconfiguration file. The interactive television application may transferthe referenced digital content to the removable medium in accordancewith the settings for the removable medium. The transfer may occurwithout requiring any further user interaction.

Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantageswill be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an illustrative interactive televisionapplication system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of illustrative user television equipment inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an illustrative remote control in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of illustrative computer equipment in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of illustrative user equipment in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative screen for extracting audio from a recordedprogram in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7A is an illustrative flow diagram for extracting audio from arecorded program in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7B is an illustrative flow diagram for determining the settings forextracting audio from a recorded program in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 7C is an illustrative flow diagram for extracting audio from arecorded program in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an illustrative screen for scheduling a recording of audiofrom a program on removable media in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is an illustrative screen for configuring the interactivetelevision application to perform future transfers of digital content toremovable media in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an illustrative flow diagram for transferring digital contentto removable media in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An illustrative interactive television application system 10 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIG. 1. Content such as television programming and digital music may beprovided from programming sources 12 to television distributionfacilities such as television distribution facility 14 usingcommunications path 16. Programming sources 12 may be any suitablesources of television and music programming, such as television andmusic production studios, etc.

Television distribution facility 14 may be a cable system headend, asatellite television distribution facility, a television broadcastfacility, or any other suitable facility for distributing television andmusic programming to users. There are typically numerous televisiondistribution facilities 14 in system 10, but only one is shown in FIG. 1to avoid overcomplicating the drawings.

Communications path 16 may be a satellite path, a fiber-optic path, acable path, or any other suitable wired or wireless communications pathsor a combination of such paths.

Television distribution facility 14 may be connected to various userequipment devices 18. Such user equipment 18 may, for example, belocated in the homes of users. User equipment 18 may include usertelevision equipment 20 or user computer equipment 22.

The user equipment may receive television and music programming andother information from television distribution facility 14 overcommunications paths such as communications paths 26, 27, and 28. Theuser equipment may also transmit signals to television distributionfacility 14 over paths 26, 27, and 28. Paths 26, 27, and 28 may becables or other wired connections, free-space connections (e.g., forbroadcast or other wireless signals), satellite links, etc.

Data source 30 may include a program listings database that is used toprovide television program schedule information such as scheduledbroadcast times, titles, channels, ratings information (e.g., parentalratings and critic's ratings), detailed title descriptions, genre orcategory information (e.g., sports, news, movies, etc.), information onactors and actresses, running times, etc. Data source 30 may also beused to provide advertisements (e.g., program guide advertisements andadvertisements for other interactive television applications), real-timedata such as sports scores, stock quotes, news, weather, etc. Althoughdata source 30 is drawn as an individual box in FIG. 1, data source 30and the other system components of FIG. 1 may be provided usingequipment at one or more locations. Systems components are drawn assingle boxes in FIG. 1 to avoid over-complicating the drawings.

Data source 30 may provide program schedule information and other datato television distribution facility 14 over communications path 32 fordistribution to the associated user equipment over paths 26, 27, and 28.Communications path 32 may be any suitable communications path such as asatellite communications path or other wireless path, a fiber-optic orother wired communications path, a path that supports Internetcommunications, a combination of such paths, etc. Data source 30 mayprovide program schedule information and other data to the user at userequipment 18 over path 38, communications network 34, and path 42. Path42 may be a wired path such as a telephone line, a cable path, afiber-optic path, a satellite path, a wireless path, a combination ofsuch paths, or any other suitable path.

User equipment devices such as user television equipment and personalcomputers may use the program schedule information to display programlistings and information on media, such as, for example, digital musicfor the user. An interactive television application or other suitableapplication may be used to display such information on the user'sdisplay.

An on-line program guide and other interactive television services maybe provided using a server connected to communications network 34 suchas server 36. Server 36 may receive program schedule information andother data from data source 30 via communications path 38,communications network 34, and communications path 40. Paths 38 and 40may be satellite paths, fiber-optic paths, wired paths, etc.Communications network 34 may be any suitable communications network,such as the Internet, the public switched telephone network, apacket-based network, etc.

User equipment 18 may access on-line program guide information and otherinformation from server 36 via communications path 42. User equipment 18may also access the on-line program guide and other services on server36 via communications path 26, television distribution facility 14, andcommunications path 44. For example, a cable modem or other suitableequipment may be used by user equipment 18 to communicate withtelevision distribution facility 14. Television distribution facility 14may communicate with communications network 34 over any suitable path44, such as a wired path, a cable path, fiber-optic path, satellitepath, a combination of such paths, etc.

User equipment such as user television equipment 20 and user computerequipment 22 may access the on-line program guide and server 36 usingsimilar arrangements. User television equipment 20 may access theon-line program guide and server 36 using communications path 46 orusing path 27, television distribution facility 14, and path 44. Usercomputer equipment 22 may access the on-line program guide and server 36using communications path 48 or using path 28, television distributionfacility 14, and path 44. Paths 46 and 48 may be any suitable paths,such as wired paths, cable paths, fiber-optic paths, wireless paths,satellite paths, a combination of such paths, etc.

The data distribution technique that is used to distribute data to usertelevision equipment 20 on either of paths 27 or 46 may depend on thetype of information that is being distributed. For example, text andgraphics may be distributed over an out-of-band channel using anout-of-band modulator, distributed using a digital-in-band channel, ordistributed in the vertical blanking interval lines of one of thechannels. Video information may also be distributed in this way,although large quantities of video information may be more efficientlydistributed using one or more digital channels or streams on paths 27 or46. Such digital channels or streams may also be used for distributingtext and graphics.

Program guide application functions and the functions of otherinteractive television applications may be supported using server 36 andother servers connected to communications network 34 such as server 56.Interactive television applications may also be supported by servers orother suitable equipment at one or more service providers such asservice provider 50. For example, a home shopping service may besupported by a service provider such as service provider 50 that hassales representatives, order fulfillment facilities, account maintenancefacilities, and other equipment for supporting interactive home shoppingfeatures. A home shopping application that is implemented using the userequipment may be used to access the service provider to provide thesefeatures to the user. The user equipment may access service provider 50via television distribution facility 14 and communications path 52 orvia communications network 34 and communications path 54. Communicationspaths such as paths 52 and 54 may be any suitable paths, such as wiredpaths, cable paths, fiber-optic paths, satellite paths, a combination ofsuch paths, etc.

Another example of an interactive television application is a homebanking application. A home banking service may be supported usingpersonnel at facilities such as service provider 50. An interactive homebanking application that is implemented using the user equipment mayaccess the home banking service via television distribution facility 14and communications path 52 or via communications network 34 andcommunications path 54.

If desired, an interactive television application such as anetwork-based video recorder or a video-on-demand application may besupported using server 56, server 36, or equipment at service provider50. Video-on-demand content and video recorded using a network-basedvideo recorder arrangement may be stored on server 56 or server 36 or atservice provider 50 and may be provided to the user equipment whenrequested by users. An interactive television application may be used tosupport the functions of a personal video recorder (sometimes called adigital video recorder) that is implemented using user equipment 18.Illustrative equipment that may be used to support personal videorecorder functions include specialized personal video recorder devices,integrated receiver decoders (IRDs), set-top boxes with integrated orexternal hard drives, or personal computers with video recordingcapabilities.

If desired, applications such as the interactive television application,a home shopping application, a home banking application, avideo-on-demand application, game applications, and other applications(e.g., applications related to e-mail and chat or other communicationsfunctions, etc.) may be provided as separate applications that areaccessed through a navigation shell application (i.e., a menuapplication with menu options corresponding to the applications). Thefeatures of such applications may be combined. For example, games,video-on-demand services, home shopping, network-based video recorderfunctions, personal video recorder functions, navigational functions,program guide functions, communications functions, and other suitablefunctions may be provided using one application or any other suitablenumber of applications.

Moreover, the interactive television application, the home bankingapplication, the home shopping application, the network-based videorecorder and personal video recorder applications, the video-on-demandapplication, the gaming applications, communications applications, andnavigational applications, are only a few illustrative examples of thetypes of interactive television applications that may be supported bysystem 10. Other suitable applications that may be supported include,news services, web browsing and other Internet services, and interactivewagering services (e.g., for wagering on horse races and the like).

The interactive television application or applications that are used ininteractive television system 10 may be implemented locally on the userequipment. The applications may also be implemented in a distributedfashion (e.g., using a client-server architecture in which the userequipment serves at least partly and for at least some of the time, asthe client and a server such as server 56 at television distributionfacility 14, server 36, or other suitable equipment acts as the server.Other distributed architectures may also be used if desired. Moreover,some or all of the interactive television system features of system 10may be provided using operating system software or middleware software.Such operating system software and middleware may be used instead of orin combination with application-level software. Regardless of theparticular arrangement used to implement interactive television featuresrelated to program guides, home shopping, home banking, video-on-demand,Internet, communications, etc., the software that supports thesefeatures may be referred to as an application or applications.

Illustrative user television equipment 20 that is based on a set-top boxarrangement is shown in FIG. 2. Input/output 58 may be connected tocommunications paths such as paths 27 and 46. Input/output functions maybe provided by one or more wires or communications paths, but are shownas a single path in FIG. 2 to avoid overcomplicating the drawing.Television programming and other information may be received usinginput/output 58. Commands and requests and other information from theuser may also be transmitted over input/output 58.

Set-top box 60 may contain an analog tuner for tuning to a desiredanalog television channel. Set-top box 60 may also contain digitaldecoding circuitry for receiving digital television and music channels.Both analog and digital channels may be handled together if desired.Multiple tuners may be provided (e.g., to handle simultaneous watch andrecord functions). Box 60 may be an integrated receiver decoder (IRD)that handles satellite television. If desired, box 60 may have circuitryfor handling cable, over-the-air broadcast, and satellite content. Box60 may include a storage device (e.g., a digital storage device such asa hard disk drive) for providing recording capabilities. Box 60 may alsobe connected to a recording device 62 such as a video cassette recorder,personal video recorder, or other device or devices with storagecapabilities.

Set-top box 60 contains a processor (e.g., a microcontroller ormicroprocessor or the like) that is used to execute softwareapplications. Set-top box 60 may contain memory such as random-accessmemory for use when executing applications. Nonvolatile memory may alsobe used (e.g., to launch a boot-up routine and other instructions). Harddisk storage in box 60 or in recording device 62 may be used to back updata and to otherwise support larger databases and storage requirementsthan may be supported using random-access memory approaches.

Set-top box 60 may have infrared (IR) or other communications circuitryfor communicating with a remote control or wireless keyboard. Set-topbox 60 may also have dedicated buttons and a front-panel display. Thefront-panel display may, for example, be used to display the currentchannel to which the set-top box is tuned.

Set-top box 60 may also have communications circuitry such as a cablemodem, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) modem, a digitalsubscriber line (DSL) modem, a telephone modem, wireless modem, etc. forcommunications with other equipment. Such communications may involve theInternet or any other suitable communications networks or paths. Ifdesired, the components of set-top box 60 may be integrated into otheruser equipment (e.g., a television or videocassette recorder).

Set-top box 60 may be controlled using a remote control or othersuitable user interface. Video recorder functions such as start, stop,record, etc. and other functions may be controlled by set-top box 60.

The output of set-top box 60 may be provided to television 64 fordisplay to the user. Any suitable television or monitor may be used todisplay the video. In the equipment of FIG. 2 and the other equipment ofsystem 10, the audio associated with various video items is typicallydistributed with those video items and is generally played back to theuser as the videos are played.

Set-top box 60 may have access to additional storage provided by one ormore removable media (e.g., removable medium 62). Removable media mayinclude, for example, optical discs (e.g., DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-R,CD-RW, MD, etc.), solid-state memory (e.g., Compact Flash, SecureDigital, Multimedia Card, xD, Memory Stick™, USB flash drive, etc.),magnetic storage (e.g., USB hard disk, Microdrive™, hard disk, floppydisk, tape, etc.), or any other suitable removable medium. Set-top box60 may include circuitry for reading from and writing to removablemedium 62.

In some embodiments, set-top box 60 may be connected to a removablemedia access device, into which removable medium 62 may be inserted. Forexample, if set-top box 60 does not have a slot for inserting compactflash cards, a compact flash card may be inserted into the removablemedia access device.

In some embodiments, removable medium 62 may a part of a removable mediaaccess device (e.g., a camera, a portable music player, a cellularphone, a personal digital assistant, a camcorder, etc.). The removablemedia access device may be connected to set-top box 60 using, forexample, a USB cable, a serial cable, or a FireWire™ cable to allowset-top box 60 to access removable medium 62. The removable media accessdevice may also be connected to set-top box 60 using a cradle or a dock.

In some embodiments, set-top box 60 and removable medium 62 may beconfigured to communicate wirelessly with one another. Set-top box 60and removable medium 62 may each include additional circuitry forperforming wireless communication. For example, a wireless link may beestablished when removable medium 62 is moved in close proximity toset-top box 60. Set-top box 60 and removable medium 62 may communicationusing a wireless protocol, such as, for example, Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi™,WiMAX™, or any other suitable wireless protocol.

The set-top box arrangement of FIG. 2 is merely illustrative. Otherarrangements may be used if desired. For example, user televisionequipment may be based on a WebTV™ box, a personal computer television(PC/TV), or any other suitable television equipment arrangement. Ifdesired, the functions of components such as enhanced set-top box 60, aWebTV™ box, or PC/TV or the like may be integrated into a television orpersonal computer or other suitable device.

An illustrative remote control 72 for operating user televisionequipment 20 (or suitable user computer equipment 22) is shown in FIG.3. Remote control 72 may have function keys 74 and other keys 76 such askeypad keys, power on/off keys, pause, stop, fast-forward and reversekeys, etc. Volume up and down keys 78 may be used for adjusting thevolume of the audio portion of a video. Channel up and down keys 80 maybe used to change television channels and to access content on virtualchannels. Cursor keys 82 may be used to navigate on-screen menus. Forexample, cursor keys 82 may be used to position an on-screen cursor,indicator, or highlight (sometimes all generically referred to herein asa highlight or highlight region) to indicate interest in a particularoption or other item on a screen displayed by the interactive televisionapplication.

An OK key 84 (or in other embodiments a select or enter key) may be usedto select on-screen options that the user has highlighted.

Keys 74 may include a record key 86 for initiating recordings. Menubutton 88 may be used to direct the interactive television applicationto display a menu on the user's display screen (e.g., on television 64or 68 or on a suitable monitor or computer display). Info button 90 maybe used to direct the interactive television application to display aninformation display screen. If the user has highlighted a particularprogram listing, for example, selecting the info button 90 may directthe interactive television application to provide additional programschedule information related to that program listing (e.g., a programsummary, actor information, etc.).

Lock button 92 may be used to modify access privileges. For example, aparent may use lock button 92 or on-screen options to establish parentalcontrol settings for the interactive television application. Theparental control settings may be time-based settings (e.g., to prevent achild from watching television during a particular time block such asfrom 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM). The parental control settings may also be usedto block programming based on rating, channel, program title, etc. Alocked or blocked program is typically not viewable until theinteractive television application is provided with a suitable personalidentification number (PIN). Once this PIN has been entered, theinteractive television program will unlock the user's equipment andallow the locked content to be accessed.

Exit button 94 may be used to exit the interactive televisionapplication or to exit a portion of the interactive televisionapplication. Guide button 96 may be used to invoke the interactivetelevision application.

The keys shown in FIG. 3 are merely illustrative. Other keys or buttonsmay be provided if desired. For example, a music button may be used toaccess music with the interactive television application. An edit buttonmay be used to edit stored content (e.g., to remove commercials, removeportions of a video, etc.). Alphanumeric buttons may be used to enteralphanumeric characters. A last or back button may be used to browsebackward in the interactive television application (e.g., to return to aprevious channel or display screen). A help key may be used to invokehelp functions such as context-sensitive on-screen help, etc.

Illustrative user computer equipment 22 is shown in FIG. 4. In thearrangement of FIG. 4, personal computer 98 may be controlled by theuser using keyboard 100 or other suitable user input device, such as atrackball, mouse, touch pad, touch screen, voice recognition system, aremote control such as remote control 72 of FIG. 3, etc. Video contentsuch as television programming and interactive television applicationdisplay screens may be displayed on monitor 102. Television programming,video-on-demand content, video recordings played back from anetwork-based video recorder, and other information may be received frompaths 28 and 48 (FIG. 1) using input/output 104. The user may also sendcommands and other information used during interactions with theinteractive television application and system 10 over input/output line104.

Personal computer unit 98 may contain a television or video card such astelevision tuner card for decoding analog and digital televisionchannels and for handling streaming video content. Multiple video cards(e.g., tuner cards) may be provided if desired. An illustrativetelevision tuner card that may be used may contain an analog televisiontuner for tuning to a given analog channel and digital decodingcircuitry for filtering out a desired digital television or musicchannel from a packetized digital data stream. Any suitable card orcomponents in computer unit 98 may be used to handle video and othercontent delivered via input/output line 104 if desired.

Personal computer unit 98 may contain one or more processors (e.g.,microprocessors) that are used to run the interactive televisionapplication or a portion of the interactive television application.

Video recording functions may be provided by the interactive televisionapplication in a personal video recorder arrangement or a network-basedvideo recorder arrangement, or any other suitable arrangement.

In a personal video recorder arrangement, storage in personal computerunit 98 may be a hard drive, DVD-R drive, DVD-RW drive, CD-R drive,CR-RW drive, or other suitable storage device or devices for storingvideo and other content. The interactive television application andpersonal computer unit 98 may use this storage to provide the functionsof a personal video recorder.

Network-based video recording functions may be provided using acombination of user equipment 18 and network equipment. User equipment18 may be, for example, user television equipment 20 or user computerequipment 22. Network equipment may be, for example, server 56, server36, or equipment at service providers such as service provider 50 ofFIG. 1. Video recording functions may be provided by storing copies oftelevision programs and other video content on a remote server (e.g.,server 56 or server 36 of FIG. 1) or other network-based equipment suchas equipment at a service provider such as service provider 50.

Video recordings may be made in response to user commands that areentered at user equipment 18. In a personal video recorder arrangement,the interactive television application may be used to record videolocally on the user equipment in response to the user commands. In anetwork-based video recorder arrangement, the interactive televisionapplication may be used to record video or to make virtual recordings onnetwork equipment such as server 36, 56, or equipment at serviceprovider 50 in response to the user commands. The user commands may beprovided to the network equipment over the communications paths shown inFIG. 1. The personal video recorder arrangement and the network-basedvideo recorder arrangement can support functions such as fast-forward,rewind, pause, play, and record.

To avoid unnecessary duplication in a network-based video recorderenvironment, the system 10 may provide network-based video recordingcapabilities by using virtual copies or recordings. With this approach,each user may be provided with a personal area on the network thatcontains a list of that user's recordings. The video content need onlybe stored once (or a relatively small number of times) on the networkequipment, even though a large number of users may have that videocontent listed as one of their recordings in their network-based videorecorder personal area.

The user television equipment and user computer equipment arrangementsdescribed above are merely illustrative. A more generalized embodimentof illustrative user equipment is shown in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, control circuitry 106 is connected to input/output108. Input/output 108 may be connected to one or more communicationspaths such as paths 26, 27, 28, 42, 46, and 48 of FIG. 1. Television andmusic programming may be received via input/output 108 (e.g., fromprogramming sources 12, servers or other equipment such as server 36,service providers such as service provider 50, and televisiondistribution facility 14). Program schedule information for aninteractive television application may be received from data source 30via input/output 108. Input/output 108 may also be used to receiveinformation transmitted by data source 30 for other interactivetelevision applications. The user may use control circuitry 106 to sendcommands, requests, and other suitable information using input/output108.

Control circuitry 106 may be based on any suitable processing circuitry110 such as processing circuitry based on one or more microprocessors,microcontrollers, digital signal processors, programmable logic devices,etc. Memory (e.g., random-access memory and read-only memory), harddrives, DVD drives, CD drives, or any other suitable memory or storagedevices may be provided as storage 112 that is part of control circuitry106. Tuning circuitry such as one or more analog tuners, one or moreMPEG-2 decoders or other digital video circuitry, or any other suitabletuning or video circuits or combinations of such circuits may also beincluded as part of circuitry 106. Encoding circuitry (e.g., forconverting over-the-air or cable analog signals to MPEG signals forstorage) may also be provided. The tuning and encoding circuitry may beused by the user equipment to receive and display or play or record aparticular television or music channel or other desired audio and videocontent (e.g., video-on-demand content or requested network-based orlocal video recorder playback). Television programming and other videoand on-screen options and information may be displayed on display 114.Display 114 may be a monitor, a television, or any other suitableequipment for displaying visual images. Speakers 116 may be provided aspart of a television or may be stand-alone units. Digital music and theaudio component of videos displayed on display 114 may be played throughspeakers 116.

A user may control the control circuitry 106 using user input interface118. The user input interface 118 may be any suitable user interface,such as a mouse, trackball, keypad, keyboard, touch screen, touch pad,voice recognition interface, remote control, etc.

As discussed previously, additional storage may be provided one or moreremovable media (e.g., removable medium 120). Processing circuitry 110may include circuitry for reading from and writing to removable medium120. Processing circuitry may also include circuitry for performingwireless communication with removable medium 120.

The interactive television application may allow the user to record aprogram using a recording device, such as a video cassette recorder,digital video recorder, or other device or devices with storagecapabilities. The interactive television application may also allow theuser to record a program on a remote server that is accessible by theinteractive television application. The ability to record programs usingan interactive television application is discussed in greater detail inEllis et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,141,488 and Ellis et al. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/332,244, filed on Jun. 11, 1999, which arehereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

The interactive television application may also allow the user toextract audio information from the recorded program. The extracted audioinformation may be transmitted from the recording device to a removablemedium (e.g., a compact flash card).

It should be noted that the interactive television application mayrestrict the extraction of audio to enforce digital rights management(DRM) rights or as a security measure. For example, data may be embeddedwithin a recorded program, such as, for example, a pay-per-view programto prevent the interactive television application from extracting audiofrom the pay-per-view program. In another example, a broadcast flag maybe transmitted along with a currently broadcast program, which mayindicate the restrictions on accessing or distributing the program afterit has been recorded. For example, the restriction may include arestriction on the user's ability to extract audio from the program. Inanother example, the restriction may include a limitation on the numberof times audio may be extracted from the program. In another example,the restriction may include a restriction of the format and quality ofthe extracted audio.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative screen for extracting audio from a recordedprogram in accordance with the present invention. Screen 600 mayinclude, for example, a program listing 605, a target listing 610, aformat drop-down menu 615, a quality drop-down menu 620, a segmentselection area 625, a start button 630, and a cancel button 635. Screen600 uses common graphical user interface objects, such as, for example,lists, drop-down menus, check boxes and buttons. However, it should benoted that these objects are merely illustrative and equivalent objectsmay be used by those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeof the invention. For example, program listing 605 may be replaced by adrop-down menu having each listing as one of its options.

Program listing 605 may include a listing of recorded programs stored onset-top box 60 or recorded content accessible from set-top box 60 (e.g.,a remote server). As shown in FIG. 6, the user has recorded severalprograms (e.g., the CBS Evening News, a Jessica Simpson concert, and themovie, “The Rock”). These programs may be stored locally on set-top box60, or they may be stored on a remote server that is accessible byset-top box 60.

The interactive television application may allow the user to select alive buffer from program listings area 605. The interactive televisionapplication may provide the live buffer to record programs currentlybeing viewed by the user, such that the user may perform real-timetransport functions on the live buffer (e.g., rewind, pause,fast-forward, etc.). By allowing the user to select the content storedon the live buffer, the user may, for example, be able to extract all ofthe audio from a program after having already viewed a portion of theprogram.

The interactive television application may allow the user to select acurrent recording from program listings area 605. A current recording issimilar to a program stored in the live buffer in that both have notbeen completely recorded by the interaction television application.

Removable media listing 610 may include a listing of removable media towhich the extracted audio may be transferred. The interactive televisionapplication may allow the user to navigate a highlight region to selecta removable medium. In some embodiments, the interactive televisionapplication may automatically detect the available removable media. Forexample, if set-top box 60 includes or is connected to a DVD recordingdevice, removable media listing 610 may include an option to select aDVD-R as the removable medium. For purposes of illustration and notlimitation, it will be assumed that removable medium 62 is the removablemedium selected by the user.

Format drop-down menu 615 may include a listing of audio formats intowhich the extracted audio may be converted. The user may select an audioformat that is compatible with a music player on which the audio is tobe played (e.g., selecting the MP3 format for use with an MP3 player).Audio formats may include, for example, MP3, uncompressed wave (WAV),Windows Media Audio™ (WMA), and any other suitable audio format. Toreduce the risk of exceeding the capacity of the selected removablemedium, the user may wish to select compressed formats (e.g., MP3, WMA)if removable medium 62 is a small capacity medium (e.g., solid-statememory). Uncompressed formats (e.g., WAV) may be more suitable ifremovable medium 62 is a large capacity medium such as, for example, aCD-R.

Quality drop-down menu 620 may include a listing of quality options forthe extracted audio. Basic quality options may include, for example, CDquality, stereo quality, mono, and any other suitable quality option.More advanced quality options may include, for example, a range ofsampling rates at which to resample the extracted audio and optionsspecific to the selected audio format (e.g., the number of channels forWAV format).

The user may select an audio quality setting based on the nature of theprogram selected in program listings area 605. For example, if theselected program is news commentary, then a high quality setting is notnecessary. However, if the selected program is a musical performance,then the user may wish select the highest quality setting available. Thehighest quality available may be limited by, for example, the availablecapacity on removable medium 62. The user may also select a qualitysetting based on the capacity of removable medium 62. For example, ifremovable medium 62 has a small capacity, the user may wish to select alower quality for audio content stored on removable medium 62.

Segment selection area 625 may include options for allowing the user toextract audio from a segment of the program. For example, if theselected program is a two-hour concert, the interactive televisionapplication may allow the user to extract the audio for individualsongs. In another example, if selected program is a football game, thenfor space considerations, the interactive television application mayallow the user to extract the audio for the first and second halves ofthe game, thereby not extracting the half hour of the program devoted tohalf-time.

As shown in FIG. 6, the interactive television application may allow theuser to select the entire program for extraction (e.g., by selectingcheckbox 640) or a portion of the program for extraction (e.g., byselecting checkbox 645). The interactive television application maydisplay a progress bar 665 to assist the user in selecting the portionsof the program from which to extract audio. The interactive televisionapplication may allow the user to select a start time with start marker650 and an end time with end marker 655 (which, by default, may bedisplayed at the start and end of the program, respectively). Theinteractive television application may allow the user to select and movestart marker 650 and end marker 655 using, for example, remote control72.

In some embodiments, the interactive television application may allowthe user to select multiple start and end times. For example, theinteractive television application may allow the user to place a cursor660 at a point along progress bar 665. The interactive televisionapplication may also allow the user to move cursor 660 along progressbar 665. The user may select, for example, OK button 84 on remotecontrol 72 to add an additional marker at the position of cursor 660 onprogress bar 665. The interactive television application may determinewhether the additional marker is a start or end marker by examining themarkers to the left and right of cursor 660. For example, if the markerto the left of cursor 660 is an end marker, the interactive televisionapplication may determine that the additional marker is a start marker.

The interactive television application may also allow the user to removestart and end markers that were previously added. For example, the usermay select a start or end marker using remote control 72. In response tothe user selecting, for example, a delete button on remote control 72,the interactive television application may remove the selected marker.

The interactive television application may also allow the user topreview the audio of the program to assist the user in selecting startand end times. For example, in response to the user selecting previewbutton 670, the interactive television application may play the audio ofthe program at the position of marker 660. Marker 660 may track theprogress of the audio as it plays. The interactive televisionapplication may also allow the user to reposition marker 660 using, forexample, cursor keys 82 on remote control 72.

In some embodiments, in lieu of marker 660, audio may be previewed fromthe location of a start or end marker whenever the user repositions thestart or end marker. For example, the user may wish to position thestart marker at the beginning of a particular song. The interactivetelevision application may play the audio at the location of the startmarker while it is being moved to allow the user to pinpoint thebeginning of the song.

In some embodiments, if the user selects an incomplete recording (e.g.,a currently recorded program or a program stored on the live buffer)from program listing 605, portions of the program which have yet to berecorded may appear on progress bar 665 in a shade of grey to indicatethat it is not yet available. For example, if “Friends” is stored in thelive buffer and there is still ten minutes left of “Friends,” theinteractive television application may display the last ten minutes ofthe live buffer on progress bar 665 in grey.

In some embodiments, if the user has selected a currently recordedprogram (e.g., from the live buffer or a previously scheduledrecording), the interactive television application may wait until therecording is complete before extracting audio from the recording. Insome embodiments, if the user has selected a portion of a currentlyrecorded program that has already been recorded, the interactivetelevision application may extract the audio from the portion of therecording before the entire recording is complete.

In response to the user selecting start button 630, the interactivetelevision application may begin extracting audio from the recordedprogram. In some embodiments, if the user selected to extract audio frommultiple segments of the program, the interactive television applicationmay split the program into the selected segments. The interactivetelevision application may de-multiplex each segment of the recordedprogram, such that the audio and video components of the recordedprograms are stored in separate files.

In some embodiments, the interactive television application mayde-multiplex the entire recorded program. If the user selected toextract audio from segments of the program, the interactive televisionapplication may splice the selected segments from the audio file.

In some embodiments, if the user selected to extract audio from multiplesegments of the program, the interactive television application may jointogether the resulting audio files in the order they occur in therecorded program. For example, if the user selected to extract the audiofor the first and second halves of a football game (i.e., extractingaudio from all but the half-time report), the user may prefer that thetwo audio files be joined together to form a single audio file. In someembodiments, the audio files may be left separate. For example, if theuser selected segments from a concert (e.g., songs), the user may preferthat each song be stored in a separate audio file.

The method used by the interactive television application tode-multiplex the recorded program depends on the format in which therecorded program is stored. For example, an MPEG file compresses audioand video information on separate layers. De-multiplexing an MPEG fileinvolves separating the audio and video layers of information. Forexample, the interactive television application may parse the MPEG fileto separate the data packets corresponding to video and audioinformation into separate files.

In some embodiments, if the recorded program is stored on a remoteserver, the interactive television application may send a request to theremote server to de-multiplex the recorded program. The remote servermay send an audio file corresponding to the audio of the recordedprogram to set-top box 60. This approach decreases the amount ofinformation transferred by the remote server to set-top box 60.

In some embodiments, if the recorded program is stored on a remoteserver, the interactive television application may send a request to theremote server to transfer the recorded program to set-top box 60. Theinteractive television application may de-multiplex the recorded programlocally. This approach decreases the amount of processing required bythe remote server.

After the recorded program has been de-multiplexed, the interactivetelevision application may process the resulting audio files inaccordance with the settings selected by the user. For example, the usermay specify that the audio should be a CD-quality MP3 file. Theinteractive television application may convert the resulting audio fileinto a MP3 file with a CD-quality sampling rate (e.g., 128 kbps).

In some embodiments, the interactive television application maysupplement the converted audio file with program information. Forexample, MP3 and WMA formats support displaying program information(e.g., artist and title) on a music player corresponding to the audiobeing played by the music player. Program information may be derivedfrom program guide information, program listings, or metadata embeddedin the stream of the program. In some embodiments, the programinformation may have been entered by the user for the recorded program.

The interactive television application may determine the total size ofthe converted audio file and compare the size of the file to theavailable capacity of removable medium 62. In some embodiments, theinteractive television application may overlay a dialog box over screen600 indicating to the user the size of the converted audio file and theamount of space available on removable medium 62. The interactivetelevision application may also request that the user confirm that thetransfer of the converted audio file to removable medium 62.

If the interactive television application determines that removablemedium 62 does not have sufficient capacity to store the converted audiofile, the interactive television application may provide the user withan option to select digital content stored on removable medium 62 tooverwrite (if possible) or it may prompt the user to insert anothermedium. In some embodiments, the interactive television application mayautomatically overwrite the oldest audio file or the shortest audio filestored on removable medium 62 necessary to free the capacity to storethe converted audio file.

If the interactive television application determines that there issufficient capacity on removable medium 62 to store the converted audiofile, the interactive television application may transfer the convertedaudio file to removable medium 62.

The screen shown in FIG. 6 for selecting settings for audio extractionis merely illustrative. Those skilled in the art should recognize thatthe user may select settings for audio extraction using a differentapproach without departing from the scope of the present invention. Forexample, in lieu of screen 600, the interactive television applicationmay display a series of overlays with which the user may select optionsfor extracting audio. The user may select a program from, for example,program listings or a play list. The interactive television applicationmay display an overlay for allowing the user to select a removablemedium (e.g., removable medium 62). In response to the user selectingremovable medium 62, the interactive television application may displayanother overlay having audio format and quality options. In response tothe user selecting format and quality options, the interactivetelevision application may display another overlay having segmentselection options. Once all of the settings have been selected by theuser, the interactive television application may extract the audio fromthe program (e.g., de-multiplex the program) and process the audio usingthe selected settings. The interactive television application maytransfer the processed audio to removable medium 62.

FIG. 7A is an illustrative flow diagram for extracting audio from arecorded program in accordance with the present invention.

At step 705, the interactive television application may allow a user torecord programs using the interactive television application. Theprograms may be recorded on, for example, set-top box 60, a digitalvideo recorder, a remote server, a DVD recorder, or any other suitablestorage device.

At step 710, the interactive television application may allow the userto select a source from which audio may be extracted. Sources mayinclude, for example, recorded programs, a program currently beingrecorded, or a program recorded on a live buffer.

At step 715, the interactive television application may allow the userto select settings for extracting audio from the selected program. Step715 is shown in more detail in FIG. 7B.

At step 735 (FIG. 7B), the interactive television application may detectavailable removable media and display a list of the available removablemedia. The user may select a removable medium to which audio extractedfrom the selected program may be transferred (e.g., removable medium62).

At steps 740 and 745 (FIG. 7B), the interactive television applicationmay allow the user to select a format and quality for the extractedaudio.

At steps 750 and 755 (FIG. 7B), the interactive television applicationmay allow the user to select segments of the recorded program forextracting audio. The interactive television application may display aprogress bar and start and end markers. The interactive televisionapplication may allow the user to position the start and end markers onthe progress bar to indicate a segment of the program from which toextract audio. The interactive television application may also allow theuser to preview the audio of the recorded program. For example, theinteractive television application may display a marker on the progressbar to indicate the location in the program at which audio is beingplayed.

At step 720, the interactive television application may allow the userto extract audio from the selected program. If the selected program is arecording that is not yet complete, the interactive televisionapplication may wait until the recording is complete before performingaudio extraction. Step 720 is shown in more detail in FIG. 7C.

At step 750 (FIG. 7C), the interactive television application may splitthe recorded program into segments defined by the user. If the userselects to extract audio from the entire program, the interactivetelevision application may consider the entire program one segment.

At step 755 (FIG. 7C), the interactive television application mayde-multiplex the segments of the selected program into separate audioand video files. In some embodiments, instead of splitting the selectedprogram into segments, the interactive television application mayde-multiplex the selected program before splitting the resulting audiofile into segments.

At step 760 (FIG. 7C), the interactive television application mayprocess the resulting audio file in accordance with the settingsselected by the user. For example, the interactive televisionapplication may convert the resulting audio file to MP3 format. Theinteractive television application may also resample the MP3 file inaccordance with the user's quality setting.

At step 765 (FIG. 7C), the interactive television application maysupplement the converted audio file with program information. Theprogram information may be derived from, for example, program listings,program guide information, or metadata embedded in the stream of theprogram. In some embodiments, the program information may have beenentered by the user for the recorded program. The program informationmay be displayed by, for example, a music player, while playing theconverted audio file.

At step 770 (FIG. 7C), the interactive television application maytransfer the exported audio to removable medium 62. Prior to transfer,the interactive television application may verify that removable medium62 contains sufficient capacity to store the exported audio.

In addition to extracting audio from recorded programs, the interactivetelevision application may also record audio from programs that have yetto be broadcast. In this approach, the user is not required to a recordprogram before extracting audio from the program.

FIG. 8 is an illustrative screen for scheduling recordings of audioinformation on removable media (e.g., removable medium 62). As shown,screen 800 is a program listings screen, which includes a programlistings area 805, a preview window 810, an options area 815, and anaudio recording overlay 820. Program listings screens are discussed ingreater detail in Ellis et al. U.S. Patent Publication No. 20040103434,which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Program listings area 805 may include a listing of programs that arescheduled to be broadcast during a certain time slot. The user maynavigate a highlight region to select a program listing in programlistings area 805 using, for example, cursor keys 82 on remote control72. In response to the user selecting a program listing, the interactivetelevision application may allow the user to select options for theprogram from options area 815. In response to the user selecting theoption to record audio on removable media, the interactive televisionapplication may display audio recording overlay 820 on screen 800. Audiorecording overlay 820 may also be invoked from, for example, a programinformation screen by pressing a button on remote control 72.

Audio recording overlay 820 may include a removable media selectiondrop-down menu 825, a format drop-down menu 830, a quality drop-downmenu 835, a set button 840, and a cancel button 845.

The user may use removable media selection drop-down menu 825 to selectavailable removable media to which the recorded audio for the selectedprogram may be transferred. The interactive television application maydetect available removable media and display entries for the availableremovable media in drop-down menu 825.

The interactive television application may allow the user to select anaudio format from format drop-down menu 830. Formats may include, forexample, MP3, uncompressed wave (WAV), Windows Media Audio (WMA), andany other suitable audio format.

The interactive television application may allow the user to select aquality setting from quality drop-down menu 835. Quality settings mayinclude, for example, low quality, medium quality, high quality, mono,stereo, CD-quality, and any other suitable quality setting. Qualitysettings may also include a range of sampling rates (e.g., 128 kbps).

In response to the user selecting save button 840, the interactivetelevision application may schedule a recording of the audio of theselected program when the program is broadcast. In some embodiments, theaudio may be recorded directly on the selected removable medium. In someembodiments, the interactive television application may record the audioon set-top box 60 or a remote server and transfer the recorded audio tothe selected removable medium (e.g., removable medium 62) when therecording is complete. In response to the user selecting cancel button845, the interactive television application may remove audio recordingoverlay 820 from screen 800.

In another aspect of the invention, the user may configure theinteractive television application to perform automatic future transfersof digital content to removable media, such that the future transfersoccur without requiring further user interaction. For example, the usermay configure the interactive television application to transfer themost recent recording of a news program to a Compact Flash (CF) cardwhenever it is inserted into set-top box 60. The user may, for example,insert the Compact Flash card into set-top box 60 every morning toretrieve the news program for that day and view the news program on ahandheld device (e.g., a handheld computer, a laptop, a cellular phone,an automobile computer) while riding the train to work. Because thetransfer has already been set up, the user is not burdened with the taskof repeatedly setting up the transfer every morning.

It should be noted that the interactive television application mayrestrict the transfer of digital content to removable media to enforcedigital rights management (DRM) rights or as a security measure. Forexample, data may be embedded within digital content, such as, forexample, a pay-per-view program to prevent the interactive televisionapplication from copying the pay-per-view program. In another example,digital content that has been recorded from an over-the-air broadcastmay include a broadcast flag, which may indicate the restrictions onaccessing or distributing the digital content. For example, therestriction may include a restriction on the user's ability to transferthe digital content. In another example, the restriction may include alimitation on the number of times the digital content may betransferred. In another example, the restriction may include arestriction of types of removable media to which the digital content maybe transferred. In another example, the restriction may include arestriction on the settings for converting (e.g., transcoding) thedigital content.

FIG. 9 is an illustrative screen for configuring the interactivetelevision application to perform future transfers of digital content toremovable media in accordance with the present invention.

Screen 900 may include, for example, a digital content selection area905, a digital content listing area 910, a format drop-down menu 915, aquality drop-down menu 920, recurring digital content settings radiobuttons 925 and 926, an update settings area 930, a removable mediaselection area 935, a save button 940, and a cancel button 945.

Screen 900 uses common graphical user interface objects, such as, forexample, lists, drop-down menus, check boxes and buttons. However, itshould be noted that these objects are merely illustrative andequivalent objects may be used by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. For example, checkbox 960 maybe replaced by a radio button.

Digital content selection area 905 may include a listing of digitalcontent stored on or accessible by set-top box 60. Digital contentselection area 905 may also include an add button 950. Digital contentmay include for example, recorded programs, recorded audio, programlistings and information, and any other suitable digital content. Theinteractive television application may also list series recordings indigital content selection area 905. The user may navigate a highlightregion to select one of the digital content listings, using for example,remote control 72. In response to the user selecting add button 950, theinteractive television application may add a listing for the selecteddigital content to digital content listing area 910.

Digital content listing area 910 may include a listing of digitalcontent selected to be transferred to removable media. Digital contentlisting area 910 may also include a remove button 955. The user maynavigate a highlight region in area 910 to select one of the digitalcontent listings displayed in area 910. In response to the userselecting remove button 955, the selected digital content listing may beremoved from area 910. The position of the highlight region may alsodetermine the digital content listing to which settings are applied. Theinteractive television application may apply different settings to eachdigital content listing.

Format drop-down menu 915 may include a listing of formats into whichthe selected digital content may be converted before being transferredto removable media. As shown in FIG. 9, the user has selected to save aseries recording of “NBC Nightly News” in MPEG format.

In addition to MPEG format, other video formats may include, forexample, MPEG, AVI, MOV, RM, DIVX, and any other suitable format. Audioformats may include, for example, MP3, WAV, WMA and any other suitableformat. Image formats may include, for example, JPG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, andany other suitable format. Text formats may include, for example, TXT,PDF, HTM, and any other suitable format.

The interactive television application may allow the user to convertdigital content from one format to another format of the same media type(e.g., video, audio, etc.). The user may select a format to conservestorage space (i.e., the user may select a format with a high level ofcompression). The user may select a format that is compatible with adevice used for accessing the digital content. For example, the user mayconvert a video to MPEG format in order to view the video on a handheldvideo player that only plays MPEG files.

In some embodiments, the interactive television application may allowthe user to convert digital content from a format of one media type to aformat of another media type. For example, if the selected digitalcontent is video, the interactive television application may allow theuser to save the digital content in an audio format. This may bedesirable, for example, if the nature of the digital content is suchthat the audio portion is of more interest to the user (e.g., arecording of a talk show or commentary). If the user selects an audioformat for a video, the interactive television application mayde-multiplex the video before transferring the resulting audio file toremovable media.

In some embodiments, if the user selects, for example, program listingsas the selected digital content, the interactive television applicationmay allow the user to save the program listings in a text format, suchas, for example, a PDF file. The user may be able to browse the programlistings while away from the interactive television application.

Quality drop-down menu 920 may include a listing of quality settings forthe format selected in format drop-down menu 915. As shown in FIG. 9,the user has instructed the interactive television application totransfer the recording of “NBC Nightly News” to the removable medium ata low resolution.

In addition to a low resolution setting, quality settings for videoformats may include medium resolution and high resolution. Qualitysettings for video formats may also include a range of resolutions fromthe lowest resolution (e.g., 320×240) up to the native resolution of thevideo. In another example, if the selected format is MP3, the qualitysettings may include a range of sampling rates.

In some embodiments, if the digital content is a video, the user maywish to select a resolution suited for a device on which the video is tobe played. For example, it would not be practical to store a highdefinition video (e.g., having a 1920×1080 resolution) on a compactflash card if the user intends to view the video on a cellular phonewith a native resolution of 120×90. Accordingly, the user may select aquality setting to scale the resolution of the video down to the nativeresolution of the device on which the video is to be played. Scalingdown the resolution of the video not only maximizes the quality of thevideo (i.e., because the video is displayed at the maximum resolution ofthe device), but also reduces the amount of space required to store thevideo on removable media.

In some embodiments, the quality settings may also include a maximumquality setting. For example, the user may select an audio file to betransferred to a removable medium that contains existing digitalcontent. The user may wish to listen to the audio file on a high qualitysetting, but the audio file may be too large to copy to the removablemedium at the highest setting (i.e., depending on the amount of existingdigital content on the removable medium).

Using the maximum quality setting, the interactive televisionapplication may determine the highest possible quality for the audio.The interactive television application may determine the amount of spaceavailable on the removable medium prior to transferring the audio file.The interactive television application may transcode the audio file suchthat the quality setting is as high as possible to fit on the removablemedium. For example, the interactive television application maydetermine that an audio file may be resampled at a slightly lower rateto be able to fit on the removable medium. Similarly, if the maximumquality setting is selected for a video file, the interactive televisionapplication may select a resolution that is as high as possible (or acompression rate that is as small as possible) to transfer the videofile to the removable medium. In some embodiments, for the maximumquality setting, the quality of the digital content may be limited, suchthat the digital content does not occupy more than a user-definedpercentage of the remaining capacity on the removable medium.

The interactive television application may display radio buttons 925 and926 if the selected digital content is recurring (e.g., a seriesrecording or weekly program listings, etc.). The interactive televisionapplication may allow the user to select the manner in which suchrecurring digital content is transferred.

In response to the user selecting radio button 925, the interactivetelevision application may be configured to transfer the most recentversion of the recurring digital content to removable media. Forexample, the interactive television application may perform a seriesrecording of “NBC Nightly News” on a daily basis. If the user forgets totransfer the program to removable media on Wednesday, then on Thursday,the interactive television application may transfer only the recordingfor Thursday because the user may not be interested in viewing datedmaterial.

In response to the user selecting radio button 926, the interactivetelevision application may be configured to transfer all recordings ofthe recurring digital content that have not yet been transferred toremovable media. For example, the interactive television application mayperform a series recording of “Jeopardy” on a daily basis. If the usergoes away on vacation, the interactive television application may recordseveral episodes of “Jeopardy” and none of the episodes may betransferred to removable media. When the user returns from vacation, theinteractive television application may transfer all the episodes of“Jeopardy” that aired while the user was away on vacation.

Update settings area 930 may include settings for updating digitalcontent stored on removable media. For example, by selecting checkbox960, the user may instruct the interactive television application tooverwrite (or delete) digital content older than a user-specified numberof days.

In another example, by selecting checkbox 965, the user may instruct theinteractive television application to overwrite (or delete) digitalcontent once it has been viewed by the user. Information regarding thestatus of digital content, such as whether digital content has beenviewed, may be stored in a file or registry on the removable medium. Forexample, if the user views digital content stored on a removable mediumfrom a handheld device, the handheld device may update a file stored onthe removable medium to indicate that the digital content has beenviewed. The next time the user places the removable medium incommunication with set-top box 60, the interactive televisionapplication may determine that the digital content was viewed.

If the user does not select either checkbox 960 or checkbox 965, theinteractive television application may consider the selected digitalcontent as marked to be saved. Therefore, the interactive televisionapplication may not delete or overwrite the selected digital contentafter it has been transferred to removable media unless instructedotherwise by the user.

In some embodiments, update settings may apply only when a removablemedium lacks the capacity to store additional digital content. Forexample, the interactive television application may overwrite or deleteexisting digital content to make room for additional digital content.

In some embodiments, if recurring digital content has been selected fortransfer to removable media, the recurring digital content may replaceolder versions of the recurring digital content in accordance with theuser's selections in checkboxes 960 and 965. For example, if the userselects checkbox 965, the current recording of “NBC Evening News” mayoverwrite a previous recording of “NBC Evening News” stored on removablemedia that has been viewed by the user.

Removable media selection area 935 may include a listing of ranges ofstorage capacities for removable media and a listing of known removablemedia. The purpose of allowing the user to select ranges of storagecapacities for removable media is to ensure that the selected removablemedia have sufficient capacity to store the digital content.

For example, if the user configures the interactive televisionapplication to perform a future transfer of “The Rock” to removablemedia in high resolution, the selected removable media should havesufficient capacity to store the digital content. In this example, theuser may select checkbox 970, which indicates that the selected digitalcontent should only be transferred to removable media with capacitiesover 1 GB.

The user may also select check box 995 and select from drop-down menu997 a specific removable medium to which the digital content may betransferred (e.g., a DVD-R). The interactive television application maystore a database of known removable media in order to maintain such alisting. In some embodiments, the known removable media may bereferenced by an identifier (e.g., volume number).

After the user has finished selecting the settings from screen 900, theuser may select save button 840 to save the settings. The user may alsoselect cancel button 945 to exit screen 900. When the user saves thesettings, the interactive television application may be configured toperform a future transfer of the selected digital content to removablemedia in accordance with the settings. For example, the next time theuser inserts a removable medium into set-top box 60 (or otherwise placesthe removable medium in communication with set-top box 60), theinteractive television application may transfer the selected digitalcontent to the removable medium without requiring any further userinteraction.

In some embodiments, the interactive television application may process(e.g., transcode) the selected digital content in accordance with thequality and format settings when digital content becomes available. Forexample, if the user selects digital content for a future transfer toremovable media, the interactive television application may immediatelyprocess the digital content in anticipation of performing a futuretransfer of the digital content. This prevents the interactivetelevision application from having to process the digital content justprior to transfer, which saves the user from waiting for the digitalcontent to be processed. In another example, if the user selectsrecurring digital content for a future transfer to removable media, theinteractive television application may process (e.g., transcode) therecurring digital content as soon as it is recorded by the interactivetelevision application.

FIG. 10 is an illustrative flow diagram for transferring digital contentto removable media in accordance with the present invention.

At step 1005, the interactive television application may be configuredto perform a future transfer of digital content to removable media.Screen 900 (FIG. 9) is an illustrative screen for configuring theinteractive television application to perform a future transfer ofdigital content to removable media. As shown in FIG. 9, the interactivetelevision application may allow the user to select digital content fortransferring to removable media. The interactive television applicationmay also allow the user to select settings for performing the transfer.

At step 1010, the interactive television application may store areference to the selected digital content and the selected settings fortransferring the selected digital content.

In some embodiments, the reference to the selected digital content andthe selected settings for transferring the selected digital content maybe stored on a database accessible by the interactive televisionapplication. The database may include different entries for differentremovable media. For example, the user may select to transfer “TheSimpsons” to all removable media having a capacity greater than 500 MBand “The Rock” to a particular DVD-R. The database entry for the DVD-Rmay indicate that both “The Simpsons” and “The Rock” are digital contentto be transferred. On the other hand, the database entries for otherremovable media with capacities greater than 500 MB may indicate that“The Simpsons” is digital content to be transferred. Therefore, theentries for the removable media stored in the database may vary becauseof different digital content selected to be transferred to the removablemedia.

In some embodiments, the reference to the selected digital content andthe selected settings for transferring the selected digital content maybe stored on a configuration file stored on a removable medium (e.g.,removable medium 62). In some embodiments, the interactive televisionapplication may create and transfer the configuration file to theremovable medium. In some embodiments, the interactive televisionapplication may transfer the configuration file to a removable medium atthe time the settings for the removable medium are created (e.g., byprompting the user to insert the removable medium). In some embodiments,the interactive television application may copy the configuration fileto the removable medium the next time the removable medium is used withset-top box 60.

In some embodiments, the configuration file may be generated by a sourceother than the interactive television application. For example, awebsite may be accessed from a computer, which allows the user to selectsettings for performing future transfers of digital content. The websitemay create a configuration file based on the user's selections and thecomputer may copy the configuration file onto the removable medium.

At step 1015, the interactive television application may establishcommunications with removable medium 62. For example, the interactivetelevision application may establish communications with removablemedium 62 when removable medium 62 is inserted into set-top box 60 or adevice coupled to set-top box 60. In another example, the interactivetelevision application may establish communications with removablemedium 62 over a wireless link. The wireless link may be created whenremovable medium 62 is moved in close proximity to a wireless accesspoint that is a part of or coupled to set-top box 60.

At step 1020, the interactive television application may determinewhether removable medium 62 is a valid target. The determination mayoccur without requiring further user interaction. The interactivetelevision application may determine that removable medium 62 is a validtarget prior to transferring digital content to removable medium 62.

In some embodiments, the interactive television application may refer tothe database discussed above to determine whether settings for removablemedium 62 are stored on the database. For example, the interactivetelevision application may determine the identifier for removable medium62 and check the database to see if any entries are stored in thedatabase under the identifier for removable medium 62. Identifiers mayinclude, for example, volume numbers and capacities. If the settings forremovable medium 62 are stored on the database, then the interactivetelevision application may assume that removable medium 62 is a validtarget.

In some embodiments, the interactive television application mayreference the configuration file discussed above to determine whetherremovable medium 62 is a valid target. For example, if the interactivetelevision application recognizes the settings for removable medium 62on the configuration file, then the interactive television applicationmay assume that removable medium 62 is a valid target.

If removable medium 62 is not recognized by the interactive televisionapplication, the interactive television application may determinewhether removable medium 62 is a valid target. For example, theinteractive television application may attempt to transfer a small fileto removable medium 62 to determine whether it is capable of storingdigital content. The interactive television application may also attemptto determine the available storage capacity on removable medium 62.

If the interactive television application determines that removablemedium 62 is a valid target, the interactive television application mayrecognize removable medium 62 as a valid target the next time it isplaced in communication with set-top box 60. In some embodiments, theinteractive television application may create an entry for removablemedium 62 in the database. In some embodiments, the interactivetelevision application may copy a configuration file with a default setof settings to removable medium 62.

If the interactive television application determines that removablemedium 62 is not a valid target, the interactive television applicationmay activate a red indicator light on set-top box 60. For example, ifthe user mistakenly inserts a plain CD into set-top box 60 (as opposedto a CD-R or CD-RW), the interactive television application maydetermine that the plain CD is not a valid target.

At step 1025, the interactive television application may retrieve areference to digital content and settings for transferring digitalcontent for removable medium 62 from either the database or theconfiguration file. The retrieval may occur without requiring anyfurther user interaction.

In some embodiments, if removable medium 62 is not recognized by theinteractive television application, the interactive televisionapplication may retrieve a reference to digital content and settings fortransferring the digital content for removable media with capacitiessimilar to that of removable medium 62. For example, the user may haveconfigured the interactive television application to transfer certaindigital content in a certain manner to all removable media withcapacities greater than 100 MB.

At step 1030, the interactive television application may transfer thereferenced digital content to removable medium 62 in accordance with thesettings for removable medium 62. The transfer may occur withoutrequiring further user interaction.

The interactive television application may transcode the referenceddigital content in accordance with the settings for removable medium 62.For example, the interactive television application may transcode avideo into MPEG file with a 320×240 resolution. In some embodiments, theinteractive television application may transcode the referenced digitalcontent in advance of the transfer (i.e., to reduce the amount of timerequired to transfer the digital content). In some embodiments, theinteractive television application may transcode the referenced digitalcontent immediately prior to transferring the digital content.

In some embodiments, if removable medium 62 is unable to overwrite ordelete any existing digital content to store additional digital content(e.g., because of the settings), the interactive television applicationmay transfer as much content as possible to removable medium 62. Theinteractive television application may indicate to the user that thetransfer was incomplete by activating, for example, a yellow indicatorlight on set-top box 60. In some embodiments, if removable medium 62 isunable to overwrite or delete any existing digital content to storeadditional digital content, the interactive television application mayrequire user input (e.g., to indicate which existing digital content todelete) before transferring any content to removable medium 62.

If the transfer of digital content to removable medium 62 is successful,the interactive television application may activate, for example, agreen indicator light on set-top box 60.

At step 1035, information may be stored on removable medium 62 regardingthe status of the transferred digital content. For example, when thedigital content is accessed by a handheld device, the handheld devicemay store information regarding the status of the digital content onremovable medium 62. For example, the handheld device may storeinformation on removable medium 62 to indicate that the digital contentwas viewed. In some embodiments, the information may be stored on theconfiguration file, discussed above. In some embodiments, theinteractive television application may update the database entry forremovable medium 62 to include the status of the digital content whenremovable medium 62 is placed in communication with set-top box 60.

If the digital content is stored on a remote server accessible by theinteractive television application, the interactive televisionapplication may send a request to the remote server to transfer thedigital content to set-top box 60 for processing.

In some embodiments, the request may be sent immediately after the userconfigures the interactive television application to perform a futuretransfer of digital content. The interactive television application mayrequest that the remote server automatically transfer recurring digitalcontent to set-top box 60 as it becomes available. This approach mayreduce the amount of time it takes for the digital content to betransferred to removable medium 62 because at the time removable medium62 is placed in communication with set-top box 60, the digital contentis already stored on set-top box 60.

In some embodiments, the request may be sent after the user placesremovable medium 62 in communication with set-top box 60. In thisapproach, set-top box 60 is not required to store the digital contentfor long periods of time until the user initiates a transfer of digitalcontent to removable medium 62. Therefore, disk space is notunnecessarily occupied by the digital content prior to the digitalcontent being transferred to removable medium 62.

In some embodiments, the user may configure the interactive televisionapplication to perform a future transfer of digital content, whichoccurs in response to the user touching, for example, a button onset-top box 60 (e.g., a one-touch transfer). In configuring theinteractive television application to perform a future one-touchtransfer, the interactive television application may allow the user toselect digital content to be transferred and settings for performing thetransfer.

Each time the user places removable medium 62 in communication withset-top box 60 and initiates the one-touch transfer, the interactivetelevision application may transfer the digital content to removablemedium 62. This approach does not require the use of a database or aconfiguration file to store customized settings, instead the digitalcontent and settings are the same for all types of removable mediaplaced in communication with set-top box 60.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this inventionand various modifications can be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

1-28. (canceled)
 29. A method for transferring audio from a program to aremovable medium, the method comprising: receiving a user input to setup a future transfer of the audio from the program to the removablemedium, the program including the audio and video, and without requiringany further user interaction after the user input: recording, with acontrol circuitry, the program including the audio and the video;extracting, by the control circuitry, a portion of the audio only fromthe recorded program; and transferring, with the control circuitry, theportion of the audio of the program to the removable medium.
 30. Themethod of claim 29, wherein receiving the user input to set up thefuture transfer of the audio from the program to the removable mediumfurther comprises receiving a user selection of a setting fortransferring the audio to the removable medium.
 31. The method of claim29, further comprising determining, by the control circuitry, whetherthe removable medium is a valid target, wherein the determination ismade without requiring any further user input after the user input toset up the future transfer.
 32. The method of claim 29, whereininformation regarding whether the audio has been played is stored on theremovable medium.
 33. The method of claim 29, further comprising:storing a reference to the program in a database; and retrieving thereference to the program from the database after establishing thecommunications link with the removable medium, wherein the reference isretrieved without requiring any further user interaction after the userinput to set up the future transfer.
 34. The method of claim 29, furthercomprising: storing a reference to the program in a configuration filestored on the removable medium; and retrieving the reference to theprogram from the configuration file after establishing thecommunications link with the removable medium, wherein the reference isretrieved without requiring any further user interaction after the userinput to set up the future transfer.
 35. A system for transferring audiofrom a program to a removable medium, the system comprising controlcircuitry configured to: receive a user input to set up a futuretransfer of the audio from the program to the removable medium, theprogram including the audio and video, and without requiring any furtheruser interaction after the user input: record the program including theaudio and the video; extract a portion of the audio only from therecorded program; and transfer the portion of the audio of the programto the removable medium.
 36. The system of claim 35, wherein the controlcircuitry configured to receive the user input to set up the futuretransfer of the audio from the program to the removable medium isfurther configured to receive a user selection of a setting fortransferring the audio to the removable medium.
 37. The system of claim35, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to determinewhether the removable medium is a valid target, wherein thedetermination is made without requiring any further user input after theuser input to set up the future transfer.
 38. The system of claim 35,wherein information regarding whether the audio has been played isstored on the removable medium.
 39. The system of claim 35 wherein thecontrol circuitry is further configured to: store a reference to theprogram in a database; and retrieve the reference to the program fromthe database after establishing the communications link with theremovable medium, wherein the reference is retrieved without requiringany further user interaction after the user input to set up the futuretransfer.
 40. The system of claim 35, wherein the control circuitry isfurther configured to: store a reference to the program in aconfiguration file stored on the removable medium; and retrieve thereference to the program from the configuration file after establishingthe communications link with the removable medium, wherein the referenceis retrieved without requiring any further user interaction after theuser input to set up the future transfer.
 41. Non-transitorymachine-readable media for transferring audio from a program to aremovable medium, the machine-readable media comprising machine-readableinstructions recorded thereon for: receiving a user input to set up afuture transfer of the audio from the program to the removable medium,the program including the audio and video, and without requiring anyfurther user interaction after the user input: recording the programincluding the audio and the video; extracting a portion of the audioonly from the recorded program; and transferring the portion of theaudio of the program to the removable medium.
 42. The machine-readablemedia of claim 41, wherein receiving the user input to set up the futuretransfer of the audio from the program to the removable medium furthercomprises receiving a user selection of a setting for transferring theaudio to the removable medium.
 43. The machine-readable media of claim41, further comprising machine readable instructions recorded thereonfor determining whether the removable medium is a valid target, whereinthe determination is made without requiring any further user input afterthe user input to set up the future transfer.
 44. The machine-readablemedia of claim 41, wherein information regarding whether the audio hasbeen played is stored on the removable medium.
 45. The machine-readablemedia of claim 41, further comprising machine readable instructionsrecorded thereon for: storing a reference to the program in a database;and retrieving the reference to the program from the database afterestablishing the communications link with the removable medium, whereinthe reference is retrieved without requiring any further userinteraction after the user input to set up the future transfer.
 46. Themachine-readable media of claim 41, further comprising machine readableinstructions recorded thereon for: storing a reference to the program ina configuration file stored on the removable medium; and retrieving thereference to the program from the configuration file after establishingthe communications link with the removable medium, wherein the referenceis retrieved without requiring any further user interaction after theuser input to set up the future transfer.